New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-16
tbiryour Deaths before gven but the morgue record
fall three short OF this.
THE OUTRAGES IN TEXAS.
ELECTIONS CONTROLLED BY ARMED MEN.

RUFFIANs STEAL BALLOT BOX AND INTERRUPT
COUNT.
WASHINGTON Feb 15-The investigation Of the poiiti-
cal outrages Washington County, Texas was begun by
the subcommittee of the Senate Committee on privileges
and Elections this morning The investigating committee
consists OF Senators chairma, Teller 6pooncr.
Pugh and Eustis All were present this morning. but
Senators Evors and gh called away to attend the
meeting OF the Judiciary Committee Judge Lafayette
Kirk County Judge of Washington County, and Lewis r.
Bryan lawyer of Brenham, were present as counsel for
the defence, and F. d. Joden, an attorney OF BRENNAN,
WAS In the capacity for the prose
cuton.
Marshal Booker farmer OF Independence, Washing
ton County, Independent in politics, was examined by
Senator spooner. The witness accompanied Colonel Q
p Spann. Of the Judges of Elections on November
Brenham taking the ballot box from Lofts precinct
They stopped by three armed men, who said !:
Hold up" Colonel spann asked: "what does this
mean ~ One of the armed men replied: 1--WE want the
ballot box Mt Spann refused to give Theleader
OF the armed men commanded his companions to Keep
their aimed at the two In the wagon.
while he approached the wagon and took
the ballot box and the talIy-sheets
The three were masked and unknown to witness
Mr.. spann and witness drove on to Brenham and re-
ported to the authorities the circumstances
Colonel C. P. Spann was sworn. He Is Democrat
and was Judge OF Election at Lofts precinct There
were $50 votes cast 1856 Of which Republicans and
carry and OF the three taysheets the day
after the election to the County Clerk Brenham He
was stopped on the way by three armed and disguised
He had to anticipate any such thing unti
about 3 o'clock that afternoon, when he heard that
the negroes had murdered Devices Bolton in a
neghborng precinct and that the ballotbox at Grab
all Precinct where there large colored majority,
had been destroyed Colonel pann had intended to delay
till the following Saturday transfer OF the box TO the
authorities at Brennan, but THIS Intelligence caused MN
on examination the witness said there negro
candidates on both tickets. One ticket was srasht
Republican ticket and the other mixed ticket The
responsible for the capture OF the D0A.
III answer TO Senator spooner the witness SAID That
Washington County had usually gone Republican since
the war; though 1t had AT times Democratic 1helc
a goody colored majority in the county, Ihc Ger
mans held the balance OF power .,... .,rorr uo
was Clerk Election In Flueyns voting precinct at the
last election. one hundred and iftyn votes were
cast. The voting went on quietly during the uay. Az
night. while the count was In progress. a few men
entered the house. One wore long rubber Goa, ,io1
and could not tell how many there were; were
up or Hand up" lie couldn't tell which. The wit
ness out He heard two shots He did not know
Judge Kirk I'm aud asked how the count was going
He looked the sheet and took note OF how Ger
tired called Mr. Robinson, presiding judge OF the election
with him, saying he wanted TO see him for moment,
%en menu ca%e a They Tn hr:t Knocked and Polk nm
Only sixtynn votes had been counted when the count
was Interrupted. OF these the great majority were
Al 1890 the committee adjourned till 10 TO morrow.
| Mr., Hoar offered resoluti ion In the Senate today
been any attempt by the United states
for the Western District OF Texas or by The United states
Marshal Or any Of his deputies 70 wt OF S
over under objection.